Tractor trailer



Nov.. 11; 1930.

c. H. LAND TRACTOR TRAILER Filed June 21, 1929 v 4 Sheets-Sheet 1 INVENTOR ATTORNEY Nov. 11, 1930. c. H. LAND 1,781,399

TRACTOR TRAILER Filed June 21. 1929 4 Sheets-Sheet 2 INVENTOR 7 BY 2644 ATTORNEY Nov. 11, 1930. c. H. LAND TRACTOR TRAILER 4 Sheets-Sheet Filed June 21, 1929 INVENTOR ATTORNEY Nov. 11, 1930. c. H. LAND TRACTOR TRAILER 4 Sheets-Sheet 4 Filed June 21, 1929 Q struct theldivided longitudinal shaft with Patented Nov. 11, 1930 CHARLES H. LAND, OF DETROIT, MICHIGAN TRACTOR TRAILER Application filed dune 21,

My invention relates totractor-trailers and more particularly, to improvements on the devices shown in my U. S. Patent No. 1,686,698 and co-pending applications Serial N 0. 312,992, filed October 17, 1929, and Serial No. 333,694, filed January 19, 1929, for tractor-trailers, in which adivided longitudinal helical shaft journaled' on the trailer is rotated upon backing the tractor into the trailer to elfectthe coupling of the tractor and trailer together and thereby causing the shaft to automatically actuate certain mechanism .controlling the raising of a supporting leg at the forward end of the trailer, whereby the trailer may be hauled by the tractor,the leg being automaticallylowered to support the forward end of the trailer, upon releasing the tractor from the trailer.

. In the present and co-pending applications, the divided longitudinalhelical shaft is provided with a spring actuatedclutch mechanism, whereby the. rear end ofthe helical shaft,-controlling the operation of the sup porting leg-cannot be rotated untilthe coupling of the tractor and trailer has been effected. The lower fifth wheel member isprovided with skids. to receive the elevating wheels carried by'the trailer whereby the trailer may be raisedlto a coupling position by the backward movement of the tractor;- there is also a turntable, draft mechanism,

and locks to hold the tractor and trailertojgether in transit and as-these Several features have been shown and described in the applications now on file, it is considered unnecessary to again enter into a detailed description and showlng of the same 111 this applicatlon except so far as may be necessary to describe and i illustrate the instant invention.

The primary object of the present inventionis to provide the fifth wheel mechanism carried by the tractor with a driving pin, which upon backing the tractor into the trailer is adapted to enter a flaring throat in the helical V groove of the divided longitudinal 'shaft,to rotate the shaft and thereby actuate the inechanismemployed to raise and lower the supporting leg of the trailerl A further object of the inventionis to con- 1929. Serial No. 372,699.

relatively short straight channel running parallel with the axis of the shaft, connecting the helical groove with the flaring throat at the end of the shaft so that a coordinating relation may be first establised between the tractor and trailer before the pin through a further backing of thetractor enters the helical groove in the shaft and thereby shifts the latter longitudinally to release the clutch mechanism controlling the rotation of that portion of the longitudinal shaft governing the raising and lowering of the supporting leg. The driving pin when the tractor is about to be uncoupled from the trailer again enters the straight grooved portion of the longitudinal shaft, permitting the clutch mechanism to automatically lock the shaft controlling the operation of the supporting leg mech- 511118111 before releasing the tractor from the trailer. 1 hr The straight channel portion connected with the helical groove also serves to insure againsta forced or accidental discharge of the pin from the shaft. occasioned by the To tative resistance the shaft would initially offer the driving pin upon entering its helical groove. i H A furtherobject of the invention is to provide the driving pin,carriedby the fifth wheel of the tractor.with a sleeve, whereby it may have a rolling driving contact with the side walls of the helical groove cf the longitudinal shaft of the trailer.

Another object of the invent-ionis a simple and effective means for automatically releasing thespring-set brake mechanism through the operation ofthe helical-shaft, when backing the tractor into the latter to effect a coupling relation. p

. WVith the foregoing and other objects in view which will appear as the description proceeds, theinvention further resides in the combination anduarrangement of parts and in the details of construction hereinafter described andclaim'e'd, it being understood that changes may be made in the precise embodiment of the invention herein disclosed without departing from the spirit of the same.

In the drawings accompanying this specification Figure 1 is a diagrammatic side elevation of a trailer showing its forward end partly in section'and mounted upon the inclined fifth wheel of a tractor,afrag- I wheelmember attached tothe plate of the tractor.

Figure 5 is a longitudinal vertical sectional View takenon or about l ne 5 -5.,0f Figure 4, of the tractor portion ofthe fifth wheel 1 niemher, showing a driving pin at the apex of the fifth :wheel member for actuating. the

: longitudinal helical shaft ofthe trailer,'upoii hacking the tracto-r into the trailer, or when releasing the tractor from the trailer. Figuretis a side elevation :of the portion of the fifth wheel member, showing its draft mechanism and lock controlling device. v r

{Figure 7 is an endelevation of the fifth wheelinember attached to the tractor. Fi'gaire 8 -a planview of tlie forw'ard endof the tractor,,showing aportion of the longitudinal helical shaft;

- Figure 9, is a longitudinal vertical, sectional View of the forward end of the trailer taken on: or filQOLltllIlG 9 9 of-Flgure 8,. showing 7 "the driving pin ,(in dotted lines), carriedlby the fifth wheeleof the tractor'jas it'fwould appear when entering the groove of thelongit'udinal helical shaft ofthe trailertodrive the latter. 7

. Figure 10 1s a fragmentary end elevation of the tra lershowing the ehannel 'inthe throat of the cast ng to receive the guidjewith pare; broke -away an abtat Iine-TZ -TQofFigni-eli.

Y Fi ure 13 is a fragmentary cross-sectional lon taken oa- 0aabeat11ine '13 -'13'of:

wedge of the fifthwheel carried hy-the trac I Figurer llisga fragmentary plan view of a detail showing; the rear end of helical shaft and eans for rele asin g the spring-set hralies,%followii gthe raisi 'ng leg'fcarried by the tr Figure 12is fragnier ler.

dfin sermon are;

Figure 1a s;

line i l-=14: ofFigt'ire "11'; showing means carbrake mechanism; f

Figure leis a view; of

a portion of the fifth-wheel membercarried helical shaft of the trailer,disclosing more tractor v attached to thelframe of the trailer/and coiio h P sistsof two sections having ahelix G at the forward 'end and a helix G at the rear end.

y are eat-ar av v I fragmentary side elevation 'and'longitudlnsal sect on taken on or about 7 e6 by the traotor,-showing a modification of the driving pin, for actuating'the longitudinal helical shaft carried by the trailer.

Figure 16' is a Vertical longitudinal sectional View taken on or about line 16 16 of Figure 15, showing a roller mounted on the drivingpin. v "Figure 17 comprises respectively" a side and an inverted plan View of the longitudinal ipartieirlarlynthei straight throat at the forward end of the shaft to receive the drivingpin of the tractor, before entering the connectinghelical groove to rotate the shaft;

Figure18'is'a longitudinal sectional elevag0 'tion'of a detail ofthe clutch, showing. the

squared] end of the divided longitudinal shaft on which the clutch is slid'ably mounted.

. Referring now. to the; letters of reference placed upon the drawings: a v .The tractor A isprovided withiafifth wheel B havinganinclined skid-face B registeringwith the inclined face C oft-hev platforrn csotthat whenloacked' under a trailer D, the elevating rollers Eof the trailer, may ascend the skid C "and'the inclined facefof the fifth wheel. I r

The fifth wheelB carriedhy the tractor has upstanding guide-wedge or, pilot 1?) .on its face which upon hacking into the trailer enters the .fiared throat lFrolff the skid-casting I at the front end of the trailerand isgui'ded by the walls of the channeluntil the relatively heavy plates D ;,1n 1s'paed apart and holted to the frame adjacent the longitudt;

nalaXis'of the trailerfconiein contact with end to allow angularity ofrcoupling-hut toward its upper end, its sides are aparallel,-

. the pilot beihgatthe top "a pro imatel widthof the 'channel, thus insuring proper coupling action-betweeiithe interlocking elements, 7

The trailer 7 rotatableshaft G which actuatesa movable element H for v supporting its forward end. The shaft Gis'journalediin suitable hearings The section ineluding thellielixYGf has a 1 squared; end fittedeand pinned to afclutch p casting I; Thissection ofjthe clutch casting supports the squared end of theshaft G? and; is so arranged that it jean, slide on it forna short'distanc'e against theaction of a spring I abutting against a eollar l rlpinnedtofhe V Y shaft; Qlutch member Ig fwhich may he an integral partof oneof the shaft bearings, is rigidly attached, to the frame of the trailer.

The thelforward section-of' the v longitudinal. shaft is connected wit a r c at as t mely; s r Straight h nelgm Mei-Ga,

,eaeh end mer er;par nerwia Janis of Q1130 is proviaa with]; I6i1giti diiia1 e a the shaft, with a flaring throat G? at its forfor the purposeof disconnecting thetractor from the trailer.

The helix G at the rear end of the longitudinal shaft receivesthe projectingpin J of a trolley carriage K,suppor-ted by the flanges of a pair of channel-irons D ,D

, bolted to the frame of the trailer D.

J ournaled in bearings boltedto the channel irons D D is a rock-shaft L tted with a rocker arm L adapted to receive the thrust of a finger K projecting from the trolley carriage K see FigureslQ and 14.

Supported by brackets bolted to one of the channel irons D is a rod M, on which is sleeved a spring M bearing at one end against one of the brackets and at the other against a collar M secured to the rod 'to normally maintain the brakes of the trailer ,set until automatically released upon coupling the tractor to the trailerj M is, a pin extending transversely through the rod at one end, engaged by a yoke-shaped rocker arm NF secured to theroclcshaft L, having a proiecting heel N bearing against the heel L of a rock-arm L loosely mounted upon the shaft L, whereby the brake mechanism may be released as willbe hereafter explained.

v P denotes a link bar connecting the rockarm L with a rocker-arm Q, keyed to a shaft R journaled in bearings secured to one of the transverse members ofthetrailer frame, and S indicate brake rods connected with rocker arms Q for controlling the operation of the brake me'c'hahism-diagrammatically indicated in Figure 1. i

The movable supporting element H pivoted at H to the sidesills' of the trailerfor I supporting the forwar'd end of the latter is fitted at its lower end with wheels H T are link-bars connecting themovable supporting element with thesfraine of the trolley carriage H The driving pin or stub shaft J projecting upwardly from the pilotB carried by the fifth wheel member B may be fitted with a rotatable sleeve J e-see Figures 15 and 16- {to provide a rolling contact between the pin and the walls of the helical groove.

The tractor member B of the fifth wheel, bearsupon a plate or platform see Figures horizontally turnable and and described in the co-pending application Serial No. 333,694. Aroshaped stops U are provided on the tractor member B, to seat lock pins U secured to the frame of the trailer-see Figures 1, 2, 1 and 6.

Keyed to a rock-shaft V journaled in the frame of the tractor member B are two spring actuated latches V, V? coordinating with the arc-shape stops U to receive and secure the lock pins U, U. The latches V", W aredepressed by the lock pins U, U as the tractor is backed into coupling relation with the trailer ;the lock-pins being held bythe latches, when the shaped stops U.

Attached to the rock'shaft V is an arm W to which is secured a cable W ,-guided by a pulley VVfl-connected with a rocker arm X secured to a rock-shaft X journaled in the end of the tractor platform. Secured to the rock-shaft X is a rocker arm X to which is attached a cable or rod leading to a controlling lever,-not shownin the tractor cab. Having indicated now the various parts, I will explain the operation of the device, which first consists in backing the tractor into the trailer, whereupon the elevating wheels Etcome in contact with the skids C on the inclined face of the fifth wheel, and the plates D D slide upon the apex of the lower fifth wheel element, to the completion of the leg lifting operation and final coupling;the apex servingas a rocking surface while the vehicle is in transit.

Upon backing ythe tractorinto the trailer, the driving pin J projecting upwardly from the pilot B enters the flaring throat G" at pins contact with the arcthe forward end of the longitudinalshaft G groove parpassing into the straight channel allel with the axis of the shaft.

.The tractor is now aligned with the trailer "but continuing its backing operation; the

driving pin J enters the helical groove which due to the angularity of the groove forces is.

tached to the frame of the trailerw The front and rear sections of the helical shaftj then rotate as a unit. The tractor oontinuingto back under the trailer, the helix G atrearend of the longitudinal shaft,+into which the pin J of thetrolley carriage projects-"-drives the carriage rearwardly upon the flanges of the channel irons D D thereby raising'the sup porting element H, pivoted to the frame of the trailer and linked to the trolley carriage.

The tractor inbacking under the trailer forces the finger K ,-projecting from the trolley carriage K,against the rocker arm L of the rock shaft L, thereby releasingthe spring set brake mechanism.

Concurrently with the release of the spring I set-brake mechanism, the arc-shape stops U, U receive thelock pins U*,U?, which upon entering; into the stops, depress the spring actuated latches V V ,the latches immediately springing back to their normal position, to secure the lockpins U U against disengagement, until manually released by a V controlling lever in thecab of the tractor not-shown conneoted with the cable W and with-the rocker arm 1 i The driving pin J, projecting upwardly "fron the pilot B having passed from the forward helical section of the longitudinal shaft,enter s the straight channel connected :with thehelical groove and parallel with the cable W? connected with the rocker arm Kb see Figuresl and 7-thereby drepressing the sprmg'latches Vi, V to release thelock pins Il U The tractor is then driven in a for ward direction, whereupon the driving pin J rotates the helical shaft lowering the supporting leg, which is again locked by the spr ng clutch member engaging its fixed member, thus securing the leg of the trailer when lowered against collapse. The tractor bein now, disconnected, the brakes are again spring set asbefore. v 7 I Having thus described my invention, what I clalmis 1 1. In combination with atracto'ntrailer', a

- rotatable shaft journaled in the frame of the trailer and extending longitudinally thereof; a support ng element for the I trailer,

adapted tobe moved into supporting or nonof. the t cto supporting positionby the rotation of'said' shaft; and a pm carried by'the tractor adaptedto cooperate directly with a helical grooveii n the shaft to effect its rotation through a backward orflforwardf movement 1 42 Incombination with ,a tractor-trailer, a longitudinally rotatable 'helically grQ Wed shaft j ournaled in thelframe of the trailer; a supportingelement for thetrailer adapted to be moved into supporting orinon-jsupporting position by the rotation of'said shaft; means for automatically releasing and locking said shaft when-{the supporting-element is respectively ralsed and lowered; and a driving fpimcarried by the tractor adapted toenter the'helical groove'of the shaft to eeeaas rotationiby a backward or forward ,movee .n ent ofthe tractor. duringthe coupling and llIlQOllPllIlg operation of the: tractor, and

traile1i- 1 i q 3. A structure-as specified-in claim 2:111

;' fiwhich-the fronte'nd of thellong'itudinal shaft is formed *witha flaring throat, whereby said driving pin may readily enter the groove in said shaft. v v 4. A structure as'specified in;.claim 2 in which the helical groove at the forward end' of the longitudinal shaft connects with a relatively short straight groove parallel with the axis of the shaft, substantially as and for the purpose described. r

5. In combinationwith a tractor-trailer, a'

rotatable longitudinal helical V shaft jour naled'in the frame of the trailer; a supporting element for the trailer adapted to be 7 moved into i supporting or non-supporting positionbytherotation of said shaft; a fifth wheel having permanently inclined faces carried by the tractor;-means for coupling the tractor to the trailer; .a pinprojecting upwardly from the apex of'the fifth wheel member, adapted toenter the helical groove of'the longitudinalshaft, whereby the shaft forward movement ofthe tractor during the coupling and uncoupling operations of the tractor and trailer.

6. In combination-with a tractor-trailer,

may :be rotated only 'by'the backward and 7 means forsupporting the forward end of the f trailer, adaptedito be movjedintoandout of action; a divid'ed longitudinally disposed helical shaft"journaled inf the trailer, one

portion of the shaft being slidable in its:

bearings and having a driving telescopic connectioniwiththe'other portion .of the shaft; a clutchadapted'to secure said shaft against rotation; means forfoperatively connecting the trailer supporting means with one, section of the rotatable shaft, I whereby it maybe brought-into or out of action by the rotation of the shaft; a driving pin carried by the tractor adapted to enter thehelical groove of theshaft,,wherebygthe shaft may be shifted longitudinally'to release the clutch and also toeflect therotation ofthe" shaft only-throughgai backward and forward I Vmovement of the tractor during the coupling and" uncoupling .operation ofithe tractor-and trailer. a v. i 7

- '7. In-1atractor trailer,combination of the 7 character described, wherein the forward end ofthe trailer is adapted to be coupled to the uppermembers respectively attached to the tractorand trailer, said "lower fifth wheel j rear end of the tractor in superposed'relation V to the latter; a fifth wheel adapted to effect the coupling relation, comprising lower and V member embodying permanent, I I upwardly r inclinedopposing'surfaces; a longitudinally disposed helical shaft 'journaled in the trailer; a movable supporting leg-for the trailer;

and a driving pin pro ec'ting fromthe apex of the lower fifth wheel member adapted .to

enter the helical groove :of theilongitudinal shaft to raise and. lower the supporting leg by a backward-or, forward movement of the tractor during the coupling and uncoupling operation.

8. In combination with a tractor-trailer, a rotatable helical shaft journaled in the frame of the trailer and extending longitudinally thereof; a supporting element for the trailer adapted to be moved into supporting or non-supporting position by the rotation of said shaft; a spring clutch mechanism, adapted to automatically lock and release said shaft when the supporting element is raised and lowered; a spring actuated normally set brake mechanism for the trailer; means actuated by a longitudinal translation of said helical shaft, respectively adapted to release the brake and the clutch mechanism; and a driving pin carried by the tractor adapted to enter the helical groove of the .shaft to effect its rotation and the longitudinal movement of said shaft upon coupling and uncoupling the tractor and trailer by a forward and backward movement of the tractor.

9. In combination with a tractor-trailer, a divided longitudinally rotatable helically grooved shaft journaled in the frame of the trailer, a normally set spring actuated brake mechanism for the wheels of the trailer; a

movable supporting element for the front of the trailer; a spring actuated clutch mechanism adapted to secure said shaft against rotation; a driving pin carried by the tractor adapted to enter one of the helical grooves of the shaft to release the clutch mechanism and to rotate the shaft during the coupling and the brake mechanism and to raise and lower the supporting element for the trailer.

10. A structure as specified in claim 2 in which the helical groove at the forward end of the longitudinal shaft connects with a relatively short straight groove parallel with the y axis of the shaft at the forward and rear ends of said helical groove.

In testimony whereof, I sign this specification.

CHARLES H. LAND. 

